That wasn't enough time to practice with the team, but he did say hello to all of his new teammates as they were finishing up practice. Zidlicky then skated with assistant coach Larry Robinson.

Coach Pete DeBoer said Zidlicky will make his Devils debut Sunday afternoon against the Lightning at the Prudential Center. Martin Brodeur will be in goal and will probably play again Monday night against the Rangers.

Zidlicky, who was given No. 2, was happy about the trade.

"I'm a little tired," he said. "I came back to Minnesota, slept two hours. I came right to the rink and right onto the ice. I tried to be here for the morning practice, but the flight was a little delayed."

The trade did not come as a surprise. He had asked the Wild for a trade and waived his no-trade for a deal to the Devils.

"I knew a couple (days) before. I asked for Jersey first. That was my first pick," Zidlicky, 35, said. "I just waited for a phone call. It wasn't a surprise for me.

"I like how Jersey plays the games. They have a lot of skilled players and they have a pretty good team. WE have a pretty good team. I believe they can play good hockey. I know a couple Czech guys and I know Ilya Kovalchuk, too. I played against him in the world championships."

Patrik Elias, his longtime from from their days as teenagers playing for Kladno in the Czech Republic, said Zidlicky was the team's best defenseman in the world championships.

That is what the Devils hope they got in exchange for Kurtis Foster, Nick Palmieri, Stephane Veilleux and two draft picks.

"I talked to Dave Barr, who coached him for two years," coach Pete DeBoer said. "He gave us a good report on him. I stay in fairly regular contact with Jacques Lemaire. I've had a conversation with Jacques about him. Nothing but positive. A real competitor. He can move pucks and help out on the power play. Everyone feels he'll be a good addition.

"There is going to be a transition period. We have to get him up to speed on systems and some of the things we do differently. When you look at the big picture of this guy over the next two months, I don't think there is any doubt he's going to help us."

It was not a pleasant season in Minnesota for Zidlicky, who did not get along with Wild coach Mike Yeo. But that is no guarantee for a trade.

"I was hoping. I asked for a trade a couple of weeks ago and this was my first pick," Zidlicky said. "I'm glad I can be part of this team. I'll try to do everything to be good for this team.

"It wasn't an easy season (in Minnesota). That's why I asked for a trade. They're a young team, so what happened happened. I'm here now so I'll try to focus on hockey for the Devils. It wasn't easy for me. If you are somewhere for four years it's like your home, but you feel sometimes that you have to change some things. I'm glad now I can just focus on the game."

DeBoer said he wasn't worried that Zidlicky didn't get along with his last coach.

"No. I don't think coaches worry about that," DeBoer said. "Every situation is different. And every player you have to handle differently. This guy is excited to be here. He's excited to play. He knows people in the room. I don't see anything but positive."

I asked DeBoer if he felt this was his team for the stretch run and playoffs.

"I'm the wrong guy to ask that. Lou is the guy that makes those decisions," he answered. "We like our group. We like the chemistry, but (Lamoriello) is always trying to improve."

Zidlicky knows Elias and Petr Sykora best.

"I know (Elias) a lot of years. We played together when we were like 17 years old. I know him very well. I know Sykie, too," Zidlicky said.

What can he bring the Devils?

"Experience," he said. "(Help on) the power play. Especially in the offensive zone."

He believes the Devils can win a Cup.

"That's why I'm here," he said. "That's what I feel. The guys play pretty well. That's a pretty good feeling."

The toughest part of the trade may be leaving his seven-year-old son, Adam, in Minnesota.

"My little boy is in first grade," he said. "So it wasn't easy to explain to him, but he'll figure it out. He'll be fine."

I asked Zidlicky if there was a point he thought the trade might not happen.

"Yes, but it happened," he said. "I have a pretty good relationship with Chuck Fletcher, the GM, and the owner, Craig Leipold. So we talked about that and he said he'd figure out the best thing for both sides.

"I like the way the Devils play hockey. I like when you spend most time in the offensive zone. That's what I like."